Labyrinth packing for rotating machine parts



Oct. 27, 1936. Q ER 2,058,993

LABYRINTH PACKING FOR ROTATING MACHINE PARTS Filed Aug. 24, 19:55

4 a1 w v 14m H n tor , Qttomegs Patented Oct. 21, 193

PATENT OFFICE mnram'rn'mcxmd FOB ROTATING amcnnvn rm'rs Curt Keller, Zurich, Switzerland ustrh AW 29, 1934 ApplicatiorlinAAugust 24, 1935, Serial No. 37,765

2 Claims. (01-286-10) This invention relates to improvements in labyrinth packing for rotating machine elements, particularly the shafts of steam and gas turbines.

The invention is an improvement on the pack- 5 ing disclosed in Swiss patent No. 174,155, Dec. 31,

1-934, according to which, one of the two relatively' rotatable elements to be sealed carries a series of annular flanges forming an annular comb, which comb is encircled without substantial initial clearance by an annulus of carbon carried by the other of the two relatively rotatable elements. The carbon rings are conveniently segmental but are so closely-assembled as to provide what is in effect a continuous carbon annulus.

l5 Thermal expansion of the flanges during running.

and the inevitable whip of the rapidly rotating shaft cause the flanges to cut grooves in the car-' vticable minimum.

In the prior construction the material of which the combs wer'e constructedhad a higher coeiflcient of thermal expansion than the carbon and the combs were constructed in one piece. The present inventlonis based on the discovery that better results are secured if the material of which the combs are constructed has a coefficient of thermal expansion higher than either 'of the two relatively rotatable elements between which '35 the seal is interposed (the shaft and housing, in

the case of a turbine). when this is the case it becomes possible to construct the comb of a series ofthin separately formed annular discs, retained between spacing rings, fixed to theshaft or 40 equivalent rotary member. J

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing:' a Fig. l is an axial section through a labyrinth packing in which the carbon ring has a cylindrical innersurface. j I

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a packing modified to the extent-that the carbon ring has a, conical innersurface. fl' d Fig. 3 is a diagram indicating the action of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. f

Referringflrst to Fig. 1, the rotary shaft to be sealed is indicated at I. It may-be assumed to be a turbine shaft. A portion of the encircling housing is indicated at 6 and carries fixedly mounted in an annular undercut recess the carbon annulus 5. -The ring commonly would be of segmental construction, but as segmental construction is not a novel feature 'of this invention, but is disclosed in the Swiss patent mentioned, no attempt is made 5 to illustrate it.

p The inner surface l6 of the carbon ring is a fiig ht circular cylinder. The comb is constructed 0 a series of thin annular discs retained on shaft I between spacer rings IS, the rings l5 being fixed 10 on the shaft to clamp the discs, in any suitablemanner.

The discs "are of such diameter that when initially assembled with the encircling ring 5, no clearance, or substantially none is afforded. The 1:: discs I I are however of a material whose 00- efllcient of thermal expansion markedly exceeds the thermal coefficients of the parts I, I5 and 6 (the part l5 being in efiect a part of shaft l Consequently when the turbine or other device is heated up, the discs l4 expand and groove the carbon ring 5 much more efiectively than is the case where the flanges have a thermal coefiicient of expansion'approximating those of the shaft l and housing 6. 5

In Fig. 2 similar parts are given the same reference numerals as in Fig. l but with the letter a. The only substantial difference is that the inner surface ll of the carbon ring in is a circular cone and the discs Ila are graduated in diameter to 30 correspond. This construction is particularly adapted for use where thermal expansion of shaft la (or other condition incidental to the running of the machine) causes the discs It to be displaced slightly in the direction of the axis of 35 the shaft. The parts are so contrived that such shifting is toward the apex of conical surface II. V Fig. 3 illustrates the eflEect in an exaggerated degree, the discslla being shown in full lines in their cold position and in dotted lines in the 40 position assumed when hot. Stating direction with reference to 'Fig. 3, as the discs Ha move to the right under rising temperature they also expand cutting triangular grooves in the carbon can be eifected by relative axial displacement of 55 discs Ila and ring 5a which'may be produced by shifting rings lia on shaft la.

While carbon has been specified as the material for rings 5 and 5:: other substances having similar physical characteristics might be substituted.

One advantage of the invention is that the carbon rings 5, 5a, and the discs I 4, Ila, are readily and quickly replaceable, and are inexpensive thus reducing the cost of spare parts to be stocked, and reducing periods of interruption of service.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shaft seal for steam and as turbines and the like, the combination of two relatively rotatable members, one encircling the other; a conic annulus having physical properties approximating those of carbon carried by on of said members; and an annular comb opposed to tions.

said conic annulus and conforming to the taper thereof, said comb being carried by the other member and having a coeflicient of thermal expansion higher than that of either member, the parts being so arranged, that when the comb is initially rotated and expanded by heat its peripheries cut relatively deeplabyrinth grooves in said annulus from which grooves the comb retreats when cooled, whereby clearance is 'thereafter aflorded under cool starting conditions, and close restriction of the labyrinth is afforded when the comb is heated under normal running condi- 2. The combination defined inclaim 1 in which the parts are so arranged that axial displacement produced by thermal expansion of the relatively rotatable members, will shift the comb to ward the annulus.

CURT KELLER. 

